Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced his recommended FY17 Capital Budget and six-year FY17-22 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) on Friday.

According to a news release, $4.4 billion has been recommended for the FY17 Capital Budget and six-year CIP.

“This FY17 Capital Budget and six-year Capital Improvements Program represents a balanced approach – investing in schools, jobs, transportation and housing while also being prudent with future borrowing,” Leggett said. “Given the continuing fiscal challenges we face with our operating budget and the need to hold down debt service, I was not able to say ‘yes’ to every worthy project. I have concentrated on those areas that get the biggest ‘bang’ for the taxpayers’ buck,” he said.

The recommended budget includes approximately $1.9 billion for education, including $1.57 billion for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Leggett’s recommended budget also allocates $305 million for Montgomery College.

“Our schools continue to attract residents and employers to the County,” Leggett said. “The schools fulfill many critical functions – educating our future employees, leaders, and innovators and helping to integrate the many immigrants that enrich our County. MCPS is also a critical partner in helping low-income families move up the economic ladder. It is imperative that we invest in meeting our schools’ capacity, modernization, and infrastructure needs supporting these goals. For this reason, funding for MCPS projects remains my highest priority,” he said.

Leggett is also proposing that the budget focus on job creation and business growth, including funding for redevelopment in White Oak, White Flint, Wheaton, White Oak Science Gateway and the Smart Growth initiative. The proposed CIP also includes $192 million in funding for Purple Line related projects. Transportation recommendations include funding for construction of transit centers at Montgomery Mall and Takoma Park/Langley, and improving Ride On bus stop and Park and Ride lots. Leggett is also proposing adding $33 million in FY17 and FY18 for a total of $176.8 million for Affordable Housing.

You can view the County Executive’s Leggett CIP memo to the County Council on the Montgomery County website. The full FY17 Capital Budget and six-year CIP plan on the website as well.

About Maureen Chowdhury

Maureen Chowdhury is a multimedia journalist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at mchowdhury@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @MediaMaureen.
Maureen authors the blog Sound Check on MyMCMedia.

About MyMCMedia

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